'Breaking Bad' Concludes Fourth-Season On Ratings High For AMC

AMC's Breaking Bad finished its fourth campaign in a big way, scoring double-digit gains among viewers and the 18-to-49 set compared with its third-season concluder.

The Oct. 9 premiere at 10 p.m. drew 1.9 million viewers, up 22% from its third-season ender and 1.2 million persons 18 to 49, 30% more than the prior year's ender, according to Nielsen live + same-day data. Those deliveries capped the show's best season with the Nielsens, one that saw it grow 19% among viewers (1.9 million) and gain 24% and 21% among persons 18 to 49 and adults 25 to 54, respectively. In both cases, AMC said Breaking Bad averaged more than 1 million watchers from those groups.The show also enjoyed its top campaign among persons 18 to 34, registering a 42% advance over its third season.With airings at 10 p.m., 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. (on Oct. 10), the fourth-season finale drew 2.9 million total viewers, including 1.8 million adults 18 to 49 AMC officials said the performance of Breaking Bad helped make the 2010-11 TV season its best ever among the 18-to-49 and 25-to-54 sets, which rose 9% and 8%, respectively, over the 2009-10 season.